Israel Slams BBC’s Gaza Lie After Palestinian Woman’s Tragic Death
Israel’s COGAT refuted British media claims that a Palestinian woman died of malnutrition, clarifying she suffered from leukemia and that Israel facilitated her medical evacuation to Italy. The agency accused Hamas of exploiting such cases for propaganda while emphasizing Israel’s efforts to support medical transfers.
The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) issued a sharp rebuttal to British media reports claiming that a Palestinian woman, Marah Abu Zohry, died of malnutrition after being evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment. The 20-year-old arrived in Pisa, Italy, on August 13, 2025, via an Italian government humanitarian flight, accompanied by her mother. She was among 31 critical patients with congenital diseases, wounds, or amputations transported on three Italian Air Force flights that week. Italian news outlets reported that Zohry succumbed to a sudden respiratory crisis and cardiac arrest on August 15, 2025, after initial tests and treatment, attributing her death to severe malnutrition.
COGAT challenged these claims, stating, “The facts, which the report did not mention: 20-year-old Marah Zohry suffered from leukemia.” The agency clarified that Italian authorities had requested Israel’s assistance for her evacuation due to her condition, and Israel promptly approved it. COGAT added, “Her evacuation could have taken place earlier, as Israel had proposed several possible dates for the transfer.” The agency emphasized its commitment to facilitating medical transfers, particularly for children, noting, “Israel facilitates the medical transfer of patients, with a focus on children, and encourages countries around the world to make such requests, while Hamas keeps cynically exploiting them for its twisted agenda.”
The rebuttal highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and international media over Gaza’s humanitarian situation, with Israel accusing outlets of amplifying Hamas narratives. COGAT’s statement aligns with its broader efforts to counter misinformation, as seen in its recent criticism of UNRWA’s ties to Hamas. Since the October 7, 2023, attack, Israel has facilitated the evacuation of hundreds of Gazan patients for treatment abroad, despite logistical challenges posed by the ongoing conflict and Hamas’s control over parts of Gaza’s infrastructure.